The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon has huge huevos – biggest in America
So dismal was my mood the other day. It was the day my tester, the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon was returned. Glib I was at showing my contrite disposition to the world as I drove my last miles. I felt like I was loosing a partner, a friend – the type of friend that always gets me in trouble.
Who could blame me for being so blue? The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon is THAT good. In fact, I will proclaim it to be one of the best American cars currently built. Wanna’ challenge my statement? Look at the ten facts:
1. The Cadillac CTS-V Wagon has the same supercharged 556 horsepower, 6.2 liter V8 that lives in the other CTS-Vs. This fire-breather cranks out 551 lbs-feet of torque at 6,100 RPM (which is basically red-line). It channels its way to the wheels via a six-speed automatic with buttons behind the steering wheel or an, honest to god, six-speed manual transmission. It was with the manual that I found restraint to be nearly nonexistent.
2. If you ever wanted to piss-off unloved family members – put them in the back of one of these. It’s a comfortable ride – but it will terrify them when you get – errr – creative with acceleration. At sea level, 0 to 60 in the manual CTS-V Wagon takes 4-friggin’-seconds!
3. Prices start at about $63,000 and only 500 will be made for 2011. Believe me, compared to the competition – it’s an amazing bargain.
4. Porsche is afraid of testing in the Rocky Mountains (they don’t allow their cars to be tested here) so I will assume they don’t have the stones to go head to head with the CTS-V Wagon – – – so it’s a victory for GM by default.
5. If you REALLY want to piss off your relatives (I do – often), take them to a curvy road. Not only is the Cadillac CTS-V Wagon mighty in strength, it can boogie like a salsa dancer on crack. Seriously, charge into a corner at outrageous speeds and feel the CTS-V Wagon hunker down and cling to tarmac. The steering is precise, telepathic and as good as anything shy of an Italian vehicle with the word “Superleggera” attached to it.
6. The brakes are so good that, when testing from 60 mph, the sheer force managed to dislodge a wad of chewing-gum from my mouth. It hit the steering wheel.
7. As Roman and I demonstrated in our video (see below), the CTS-V Wagon can hold skis. What we didn’t show you was the three across seating (the BMW X6 M, Porsche Panamera and Audi A7 only have back space for two) and the large dog kennel that fit in back. It’s not a big wagon in any way, but it is a commodious small wagon with 58 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.
8. Some cheddar-head driving an ‘09 Mustang GT tried desperately to pass me. No dice. Another looser in a 911 Carrera tried to match my speed and failed in spectacular fashion. I could do this ALL day people! Except — I was averaging about 10 mpg… and premium gas is pricy.
9. Not all is perfect with the 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Wagon’s world. The pricy Recaro seats are not very comfortable for long stints, control buttons/knobs/switchgear are only so-so, fit and finish is not competitive with the high end Germans and the stereo sounds good, but it’s not very customizable. You know what? I don’t care about these flaws. The proof is in the pudding and with a driving experience like the CTS-V Wagon provides, I will swim in Jell-O Pudding naked.
10. Anyone who knows anything about cars will envy and revile your very existence if you have one. What a delicious thought – no?
So, yes – I am sad to see it go. In fact, I’m a bit heated too. As I am no longer driving the sweet Cadillac, I left some tawdry, vulgar music on its hard-drive. The next reviewer will feel my wrath!
(Whimper) I miss that wagon.
Automotive media, racing, vehicle evaluation, wrecking yards, and car sales are just a part of Nathan Adlen’s vehicular past. He writes out of high octane passion! To read more reviews by Nathan Adlen or just to enjoy more of excellent writing please visit him on at his examiner.com page HERE.
Follow on twitter @TFLcar or watch latest car
review videos on YouTube.
